Short- to Intermediate-Term Radiographic Outcomes Following Cotton Osteotomy.

The cotton osteotomy or the medial cuneiform opening wedge osteotomy has been a common adjunct procedure in flatfoot reconstruction to correct for forefoot varus or a dorsiflexed first ray. The main goal of the study is to retrospectively review outcomes specifically in the short-intermediate term for the cotton osteotomy. The medical records of a single foot and ankle surgeon (PRB) were reviewed for patients who met inclusion and exclusion criteria. The study period was from January 2006 to October 2018. The analysis was performed using information obtained from chart-review to examine union and complication rates, as well as changes in the cuneiform articular angle based on graft size and type. A total of 71 feet in 61 patients underwent cotton osteotomies for flatfoot reconstruction. Overall complication rate was 5.6% (4/71) with 2 nonunions (2/47) in those that had radiographic follow-up of greater than 9 months. Change in cuneiform articular angle (CAA) showed 0.91° of correction per 1-millimeter increase in graft wedge size from preoperative to 3 weeks. Change for anterior-posterior medial cuneiform bisection dorsal length (AP length) was 0.70 mm per 1 mm of graft used from preoperative to 3 weeks. 6 weeks to 10 weeks showed statistically significant changes in the CAA (p = .01) and the AP length (p = .002). The cotton osteotomy showed statistically significant radiographic loss of correction between the 6- and 10-week time points when patients were allowed to begin weightbearing. Metal grafts may provide maintenance of correction which warrants future studies on their efficacy.

Not a fungi to be with: Shiitake mushroom flagellate dermatitis.

Shiitake dermatitis is a rare adverse cutaneous reaction to the ingestion of raw or undercooked shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes). We report the case of a patient who developed a striking linear flagellate dermatitis without urticaria three days after returning from a trip from Tokyo where he had eaten shiitake mushrooms. The rash resolved after two weeks with topical corticosteroids and antihistamines given for symptomatic relief. Shiitake dermatitis is thought to be either a toxic or hypersensitivity reaction to lentinan, a heat-inactivated polysaccharide found in the cell walls of shiitake mushrooms. Although this mushroom is widely consumed in Eastern Asia, with the increasing globalisation of cuisine and travel, cases are likely to become more common in the Western world.

Common Pitfalls in Subtalar Joint Preparation for Arthrodesis via Sinus Tarsi Approach.

This cadaveric study assessed factors that could lead to nonunions in subtalar joint arthrodesis. The purpose of this study was to assist surgeons in achieving sufficient joint preparation in hopes to achieve more frequent arthrodesis of the subtalar joint. We evaluated the influence of experience in regard to cartilage preparation of the joint. We also assessed which quadrants of the subtalar joint were more likely to have unprepared cartilage. The subtalar joints in 17 cadaveric limbs were prepared by 17 participants with differing levels of experience. After the cartilage was denuded, the percentage of unprepared cartilage in each subtalar joint was calculated. The medial quadrants were more likely to have unprepared surfaces. There was also a learning curve present with subtalar joint preparation, as seen by the significantly larger percentage of unprepared cartilage in cadavers prepared by first year residents.

Risk factors associated with 30 day hospital readmission following partial nephrectomy.

INTRODUCTION: To assess risk factors for unplanned readmission following open and minimally invasive partial nephrectomy (PN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, patients with renal malignancy undergoing PN in 2011 or 2012 were reviewed. Using multivariable logistic regression, we identified variables associated with 30 day hospital readmission. RESULTS: Of the 2124 patients identified who underwent PN, 1253 (59%) were minimally invasive PN (MIPN) and 871 (41%) open PN (OPN). There were no differences in preoperative comorbidities between MIPN and OPN patients. The rate of unplanned hospital readmission for the entire cohort was 5%, which varied from 7% for OPN to 4% for MIPN. Seven percent of OPN and 2% of MIPN patients developed a Clavien grade III-V complication. For OPN, developing an in-hospital Clavien grade III-V complication was associated with a 6-fold increase in the odds of requiring subsequent readmission (95% CI 2.22-14.47, p < 0.001). For MIPN, an in-hospital Clavien grade III-V complication was associated with nearly 16 times increased odds of unplanned readmission (95% CI 6.08-41.65, p<0.001) and history of chronic anticoagulation was associated with a five times increased odds of unplanned readmission (95% CI 1.44-18.25, p = 0.012). Finally, operative time for MIPN was associated with increased odds of readmission (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.04-1.16, p < 0.001). Patient comorbidities and ASA score were not associated with unplanned readmission for OPN or MIPN. CONCLUSIONS: Patients developing high grade complications are at increased risk of subsequent unplanned readmission. These patients who develop significant in-hospital complications may benefit from increased post-discharge contact with healthcare providers and from preoperative counseling regarding their risk of unplanned readmission.

Buprenorphine Induction Using Microdosing for the Management of Opioid Use Disorder in Pregnancy.

Background Conventional buprenorphine inductions require patients to abstain from full agonist opioids until they experience mild-to-moderate opioid withdrawal. We described a successful buprenorphine induction case in a pregnant patient using microdosing, which avoided withdrawal symptoms. Case Presentation The patient is a 29-year-old G2P1001 at 18 2/7 weeks of gestation, who desired a switch from methadone to buprenorphine to minimize neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS), which complicated her last pregnancy. She was given increasing microdoses of buprenorphine over a 7-day period, while continuing her daily dose of methadone. She discontinued the methadone on day 8. She did well during the week of buprenorphine microdosing, with no complaints of withdrawal or cravings. She was engaged in her prenatal care. Her dose of buprenorphine was increased to 8 mg twice daily in the third trimester for some withdrawal symptoms in the evening consisting of new onset nausea and vomiting. The patient underwent an elective 39-week induction of labor and had a spontaneous vaginal delivery of an appropriately grown male fetus. Only nonpharmacologic interventions were used. Conclusion Buprenorphine microdosing was well tolerated in this patient and avoided withdrawal symptoms in the mothers, and NOWS. A microdosing study in pregnancy is indicated.

Creating a maternal cardiac center of excellence: a call to action.

In contrast to most industrialized countries, maternal mortality in the USA is rising. Cardiovascular disease, both acquired heart disease (e.g. coronary disease, arrhythmias, and heart failure), as well as congenital heart disease survivors, are all potentially important factors in explaining this worrisome trend. Increase in acquired cardiac disease is likely attributable to greater rates of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and an increase in the incidence of advanced maternal age, while congenital heart disease in pregnancy is increasing due to advances in pediatric cardiovascular surgery. Despite the growing cardiovascular risk of pregnant women, most obstetricians and cardiologists have limited experience in caring for women with heart disease. Accordingly, management is largely guided by expert opinion likely to vary greatly across centers. To address these challenges, a multidisciplinary approach to care that includes both cardiologists and obstetricians could leverage the knowledge of both specialties and support streamlined communication between the patient and her providers. Our experience highlights the necessary components and essential infrastructure for building a center of excellence in treating pregnant women with heart disease.Condensation: A guide for creating a center of excellence for prenatal care for women with cardiovascular disease.The problem: Cardiac disease is the leading cause of maternal mortality, and pregnancies affected by cardiac disease continue to rise, both congenital and acquired.The solution: Maternal fetal medicine, obstetricians, and cardiologists can join together in tertiary facilities to create Maternal Cardiac Centers of Excellence to provide multidisciplinary, structured care for these high-risk patients.

Sepsis Unmasking Fahr's Disease.

Fahr's disease is a sporadic or familial neurodegenerative disorder characterized by symmetrical calcification of cerebral structures, particularly the basal ganglia, cerebellar dentate nuclei and surrounding white matter, in the absence of metabolic causes of calcification. We report the case of a previously fit, high functioning 58-year-old man who developed catastrophic irreversible neuropsychiatric collapse after sepsis despite appropriate antimicrobial treatment. Cranial computed tomography revealed extensive diffuse calcifications located in unusual areas. Laboratory studies excluded the presence of other pathologic processes leading to secondary intracranial calcification and a multigene panel failed to confirm mutations in the genes currently known to be associated with the disorder, supporting a diagnosis of sporadic Fahr's disease or idiopathic brain calcification. Important diagnostic considerations in the septic patient who develops neurological complications, namely sepsis-associated encephalopathy and antibiotic-associated encephalopathy, are discussed. The patient remains severely handicapped 6 months after the acute event. Patients with clinically silent neurodegenerative/neuropsychiatric conditions, such as Fahr's disease, may present with florid and unpredicted neurological features in the context of systemic illness.

NMR-based metabonomics analysis of mouse urine and fecal extracts following oral treatment with the broad-spectrum antibiotic enrofloxacin (Baytril).

The human gastrointestinal tract is home to hundreds of species of bacteria and the balance between beneficial and pathogenic bacteria plays a critical role in human health and disease. The human infant, however, is born with a sterile gut and the complex gastrointestinal host/bacterial ecosystem is only established after birth by rapid bacterial colonization. Composition of newborn gut flora depends on several factors including type of birth (Ceasarian or natural), manner of early feeding (breast milk or formula), and exposure to local, physical environment. Imbalance in normal, healthy gut flora contributes to several adult human diseases including inflammatory bowel (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease) and Clostridium difficile associated disease, and early childhood diseases such as necrotizing enterocolitis. As a first step towards characterization of the role of gut bacteria in human health and disease, we conducted an 850 MHz (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy study to monitor changes in metabolic profiles of urine and fecal extracts of 15 mice following gut sterilization by the broad-spectrum antibiotic enrofloxacin (also known as Baytril). Ten metabolites changed in urine following enrofloxacin treatment including decreased acetate due to loss of microbial catabolism of sugars and polysaccharides, decreased trimethylamine-N-oxide due to loss of microbial catabolism of choline, and increased creatine and creatinine due to loss of microbial enzyme degradation. Eight metabolites changed in fecal extracts of mice treated with enrofloxacin including depletion of amino acids produced by microbial proteases, reduction in metabolites generated by lactate-utilizing bacteria, and increased urea caused by loss of microbial ureases.

National Trends in the Performance of Robot-Assisted Sacral Colpopexy.

PURPOSE: Robot-assisted sacral colpopexy (RASC) utilization trends and influencing factors were examined. RASCs were compared with nonrobotic vaginal suspension procedures (non-RASC) used to treat patients with vaginal prolapse. Hospital costs associated with each approach were also examined. The presence of certain factors may predict increased use of RASC. METHODS: The National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample database was queried from 2009 to 2011 to identify patients undergoing RASC and non-RASC. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate variables associated with RASC utilization, adjusting for age, comorbidities, concurrent procedures, hospital region, primary payer, and year. Multiple linear regression was used to evaluate variables associated with hospital costs when adjusting for operative approach, concurrent procedures, comorbidities, presence of complications, hospital region, and year. RESULTS: Of the 125,869 patients who underwent vaginal vault suspension of any type, 14,601 (12%) were RASC. Total in-hospital complication rates were similar between RASC and non-RASC (8% RASC, 7% non-RASC, P=0.360). The proportion of patients undergoing RASC increased throughout the study period (odds ratio [OR] 1.58, P<0.001), with this increase being most pronounced in the South (OR 2.22, P<0.001). Fifty-four percent of RASC patients vs 48% of non-RASC patients underwent concurrent hysterectomy (P=0.007). Patients with private insurance (OR 1.73, P=0.001) or Medicare (OR 1.43, P=0.033) as their primary payer were at significantly increased odds of RASC compared with Medicaid patients, and private insurance was associated with increased reimbursement. On multiple linear regression, RASC was independently associated with a $4825 increase in hospital costs (95% confidence interval $4161-$5490, P<0.001). There were independent regional differences in cost associated with vaginal suspension, with the West being the most expensive (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: While RASC utilization increased over the study period as a treatment option for vaginal prolapse, the majority of vaginal suspension procedures were still performed via non-RASC methods. RASC was associated with equivalent complications yet significantly higher costs.

Prolonged antibiotic use induces intestinal injury in mice that is repaired after removing antibiotic pressure: implications for empiric antibiotic therapy.

Metabolic profiling of urine and fecal extracts, histological investigation of intestinal ilea, and fecal metagenomics analyses were used to investigate effects of prolonged antibiotic use in mice. The study provides insight into the effects of extended empiric antibiotic therapy in humans. Mice were administered a broad-spectrum antibiotic for four consecutive days followed by oral gavage with Clostridium butyricum, an opportunistic gram-positive pathogenic bacteria commonly isolated in fecal and blood cultures of necrotizing enterocolitis patients. Metagenomics data indicated loss of bacterial diversity after 4 days on antibiotics that was restored after removing antibiotic pressure. Histological analyses indicated damage to ileal villi after antibiotic treatment that underwent repair after lifting antibiotic pressure. Metabolic profiling confirmed intestinal injury in antibiotic-treated mice indicated by increased urinary trans-4-hydroxy-l-proline, a breakdown product of collagen present in connective tissue of ileal villi that may serve as a biomarker for antibiotic-induced injury in at risk populations.